It's pretty funny how the Mai Kai graphic designers got the order of the headhunters backwards.

That's what I love about vintage American tiki/ polynesia interpretation; the anthropologic details were not always scrutanized nor necessarily understood.
And actually, I'd be curious to know the history of that image concept too. it seems western to me...

Damon's in Glendale--founded 1937.
In 1937, he sold the candy stores and founded Damon's Steak House on Central Avenue in Glendale. It soon became a favorite with those seeking a hearty steak and a great drink.

The South Seas or Polynesian décor theme began almost by accident. A single palm tree in the middle of the original Damon's inspired the gradual addition of artifacts and furnishings. The move to Brand Boulevard in 1980 made that transition even easier with the addition of the outrigger hanging above the main dining room and the beautiful murals painted by the late Bettina Byrne. Also adding to the island theme are the large salt-water aquarium and two fresh water aquariums in the bar.

Upon Loyal's passing, his son Loyal Jr., daughter Jennie and Loyal Jr.'s wife Donna took control of the restaurant operation. At the time of the move to Brand Boulevard, long time bartender Moe Elliott was promoted to manager. Moe not only had the distinction of being the senior member of the staff (since 1956) but he also created the Damon's Famous Mai Tai. Moe still visits to make sure his time honored recipe is being followed accurately. (Bartenders, beware!)

We extend an invitation to one and all to come and join the fun and enjoy a delicious and hearty meal.

If we are counting restaurants which changed locations or names, then Sam's Seafood (now Don the Beachcomber) would have been one of the oldest, dating back to the 1920's. There was nautical decor in there at that time...

But I guess the conversation is the oldest surviving. Shouldn't that require staying in the original location too?

Same location in classic bamboo/rattan Polynesian style decor. Nautical doesn't count: The Tonga Room was an Ocean liner in the 40s, but did not turn fully Polynesian til the 70s. Similar thing with the Alibi. WHEN did Sam's go Tiki?

I really don't know HOW MUCH Trad'r Sam's is, or was Polynesian style...The Tahitian was rather minimalist in its decor, so they are not really stellar examples of the style.

The Bali Hai had the good luck of coming from a long line of Christian's Huts.

On 2013-04-30 10:12, bigbrotiki wrote:Yes, the requirements should be:

Same location in classic bamboo/rattan Polynesian style decor. Nautical doesn't count: The Tonga Room was an Ocean liner in the 40s, but did not turn fully Polynesian til the 70s. Similar thing with the Alibi. WHEN did Sam's go Tiki?

I really don't know HOW MUCH Trad'r Sam's is, or was Polynesian style...The Tahitian was rather minimalist in its decor, so they are not really stellar examples of the style.

The Bali Hai had the good luck of coming from a long line of Christian's Huts.

I'm going to throw this out there and then duck.
What about the Bikini Lounge in Phoenix?
If the question posed is not one of grandeur but rather age and continuity.
Opened in 1947 still in operation and in same location today, seems to be in a Poly-pop style, rather than pre-tiki/coconut grove/nautical/etc.

Parts seem to date to that period,and appears that they attempted to strenghten the look with a 1966 design:

But it's a "lounge", don't know if it ever sold food, if we're looking for a "restaurant".
And of course it's currently a "dive bar", but nobody's perfect right?

The difficult thing with these claims of "in operation" is that it can mean anything, as in "opened as a bar (in whatever theme)" .
And bar proprietors are A.) not primarily historians B.) often not the original owners, knowing a date only from hearsay.

Yet in this case the date seems possible when looking at the history of the term:

>>The atoll, however, has always been called Bikini by the native Marshall Islanders, from Marshallese "Pik" meaning "surface" and "Ni" meaning "coconut". The name was popularized in the United States not only by nuclear bomb tests, but because the bikini swimsuit was named after the island in 1946. The two-piece swimsuit was introduced within days of the first nuclear test on the atoll, when the name of the island was in the news<<